Universities science and technology research project
Report No: ; Type: Report/Evaluation Memorandum ; Country: South Korea; Region: East Asia And Pacific; Sector: Tertiary Education; Major
                                               Sector: Education; ProjectID: P004129


Korea: Universities Science and Technology Research Project (Loan 3203-KO)

The Korea Universities Science and Technology Research project, supported by Loan 3203-KO for US$45 million,
was approved in FY90. The loan was closed on schedule on December 31, 1995, at which time the balance of
US$0.57 million was canceled. The Implementation Completion Report (ICR) was prepared by the East Asia and
Pacific Regional Office. The borrower's full report on the implementation and achievements of the project is
included as Annex B.

The project was designed to reinforce government strategy for technology-intensive industrial development in
order to: (a) develop and use technology to the fullest; (b) continually improve productivity; (c) create products
that are
technologically sophisticated, energy-efficient, and exportoriented; and (d) enhance the role of small and medium
industry to reduce overdependence on imported parts and materials. To achieve these objectives, the project
financed specialized science research equipment and related items in selected universities.

The project's objectives were fulfilled. Grants financed 1,621 basic and applied research activities in areas such as
electronics, biotechnology, and energy utilization. These produced 1,132 publications and 51 patents. The results
of 117 subprojects were adopted by private firms. The institutions which received funding increased their output
of masters and doctoral graduates by 44 percent during the life of the project. Graduates in science education
increased by 76 percent.

The Operations Evaluation Department agrees with the ICR ratings. Project outcome is rated as highly
satisfactory, institutional development impact as substantial, sustainability as likely, and Bank performance as
highly satisfactory.

The project shows that well-developed institutions can perform satisfactorily and with little Bank supervision.

Overall the ICR is satisfactory. Nevertheless, information on monitoring and evaluation was omitted, although this
task was carried out satisfactorily in the project. No audit is planned.